Back to the Island of Hispanola

Well, here we go again!  After a 5 day trip home turned into a 2.5 week trip, I am heading back to the country that has my heart.

I'm extremely excited because I will be able to focus all of my energy on the village.  With the passing of Denise and the construction of the UNOPS housing beginning soon, there are so many details to remember and loose ends to tie up.

Left from home at 3:45am, 6:30am flight, arrived in Port-au-Prince at 12:10pm.  I am sooo happy to be back!

Since the Paraguayans have graciously been the keepers of the van, they picked me up and then we went to get Pastor Regis.  Pastor Regis has been a friend of Kendra's for quite some time and will be helping me with translation at the village.

Changing driving gears from the US to Haiti is just incredible.  In the US the roads are smoothly paved (mostly), there are many (sometimes too many) stop signs and stop lights, police who actually respond to emergencies and are lined with businesses in a clean and organized fashion.

Haiti is nothing like this.  Chaos, chaos and more chaos.

Catching Up - Spring Arbor Team

Had a great time catching up with some folks from the Spring Arbor Team the Sunday before I left in Spring Arbor.  It was great to see them all!!

Thomas, Max, Abby, Haley, Rachel, Emily, Todd, Faith

Abby, Emily, Haley

In Memory of Denise

Life is but a breath.

Even working in Haiti, a country devastated by the earthquake and with a tragic history of darkness, I don't often think about death here.

Then my friend Denise died.

We received some sad news this past week that Denise had been hit by a taptap (taxi truck) and fell on her head.  She died on the way to the hospital.

I'm in denial.  I was just starting to get to know her better.  She was a strong woman within the village who was constantly fighting for her family.  

My memories of Denise always include her family.  She always had a smile on her face - even when you knew she was hungry or worried about her family.  During community meetings, she would listen to everyone talk (or yell in some cases), then would raise her hand and stand to speak.  When she spoke, the people listened.

I loved watching her with her children.  Culturally, most woman are very rough with their kids, others make their children wait on them hand and foot, but Denise was always playing with hers and caring for them with love.

Denise leaves behind five children and a husband, Roly.  He is the hardest worker in the village - ready to work when work is available.  He has played a vital role in the development of the agricultural area and now he is going to have to learn to live without his other half.  The entire village is mourning while some are helping to care for her children.

For poor, earthquake displaced families in Haiti there are no safety nets such as life insurance or a savings to fall back on.  I will be back to the village on Wednesday to assess the situation and to encourage the people.

Since Denise was a woman of small business, we are starting a micro-enterprise fund in her memory.  Her husband will be the first beneficiary along with the other families who are helping to care for her children.

To donate, select the "Donate" button for Google Checkout in the right navigation bar.

Home.

I've been blessed to have some extra time home.  Photos of my Gramma's wedding and other events coming soon!